It’s not unusual that a piece of public art spurs controversy, but in the case of Legs, a huge piece of macrame — that oh-so-hip art form from the 70’s — in the Embarcadero BART Station, the dispute has stretched over at least two or three decades, depending on your perspective.

The giant textile sculpture, made of the same fireproof material firefighters wear, was originally a bright and lovely shade of burnt orange, and it flipped and flopped like a politician as the trains entered and exited the station.

But dust from the trains’ brakes and general grime from the air in the station turned the sculpture black. Since 1987, BART directors have tried unsuccessfully to remove the artwork, which has some legal protection. Now, as part of this year’s budget proceedings, they may try again — and for just $300,000, five times what the artist was paid in the first place.